Feasibility studies say Kulim airport will have negative impact on Penang airport
According to two feasibility studies conducted by two independent consultants on the Kulim International Airport, the project will have negative impact on Penang, and its international airport in Bayan Lepas, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (above) today.
Chow said the state government has reviewed the feasibility reports prepared by two consultants - KPMG Corporate Advisory for the Penang Economic Planning Unit, and KLIA Consultancy for Kedah.
“According to the two reports, the Kulim International Airport will have a negative impact on Penang International Airport and Penang,” Chow said.
“The Kulim International Airport will not complement the Penang International Airport. Instead it will compete as a rival to get companies to use its cargo services in the northern corridor,” Chow added...
According to two feasibility studies conducted by two independent consultants on the Kulim International Airport, the project will have negative impact on Penang, and its international airport in Bayan Lepas, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (above) today.
Chow said the state government has reviewed the feasibility reports prepared by two consultants - KPMG Corporate Advisory for the Penang Economic Planning Unit, and KLIA Consultancy for Kedah.
“According to the two reports, the Kulim International Airport will have a negative impact on Penang International Airport and Penang,” Chow said.
“The Kulim International Airport will not complement the Penang International Airport. Instead it will compete as a rival to get companies to use its cargo services in the northern corridor,” Chow added, at the Question and Answer session at the Penang Legislative Assembly.
Chow noted that the cargo services at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas has yet to reach its full capacity.
“The lost of investors who will change direction to Kulim, and other countries, will reduce foreign direct investment in Penang,” he added.
He was responding to a written question by Kumaresan Arumugam (PKR-Batu Uban), who asked if the state was planning to build a new international airport on reclaimed land in Batu Maung.
He also asked what was the impact of the announcement of the Kulim International Airport on Penang, and its long term impact on the state’s economy.
On Monday, Chow announced that a study is being conducted over the possibility of expanding the Penang International Airport on one of the reclaimed islands.
The idea for a Kulim International Airport sparked controversy after Minister of Economic Affairs Azmin Ali announced that the RM1.66 billion project was approved, and will be funded by a private company.
Chow has maintained that the project - initially proposed as a cargo airport - would bring negative impact to Penang.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state is in the process of appointing a consultant to conduct a feasibility study on an international airport for the north corridor.
The state is working out the terms of reference for the consultant, Chow added.
“We expect to appoint the consultant in the last quarter of this year,” Chow said.
“The study should be conducted to cover all aspects. An in-depth study should be done as well before any decision can be made,” Chow added.
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